How to Defend Your XML Web Service Against Hackers

Install the latest security updates. Patches are created for known or potential security threats and are included in the latest security updates.

Limit the people who can access the server through HTTP authentication or restricting IP addresses, for example.

To activate HTTP authentication, right-click the site, directory or file in the Internet Services Manager, then select "Properties" from the pop-up menu. In the "Directory Security" tab, click "Edit" under "Anonymous Access and Authentication Control."

To restrict IP addresses, navigate to the "Directory Security" and click "Edit" under "IP Address and Domain Name Restrictions." Add allowed or denied IP addresses by clicking "Add" after clicking the "Granted Access" or "Denied Access" radio button.

Configure the router (your firewall) to allow requests from certain ports only. Port 80 is the default HTTP port, so only allow requests from this port to restrict anyone outside of the firewall from connecting to any other services on the machine.

Make the machine a firewall if you don't have access to or simply don't have a router. Navigate to the network card that is connected to the Internet on the machine and select "Properties." Edit the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to restrict the ports that you will receive connections on to restrict access to certain ports (port 80 for HTTP and 443 for HTTPS, for example).

Disable unneeded or unnecessary services such as FTP services and SMTP services on the machine and limit sites and directories you have configured to those you need.